Chili cheese casserole bakes hearty beef chili under a blanket of melted cheese for a quick, protein-packed family dinner. This Tex-Mex inspired comfort food is bold, cheesy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add olive oil. Sauté onions and bell pepper until softened, about 4 minutes.
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat for best texture.
Stir in kidney beans, canned diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer mixture on medium-low, uncovered, for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
Transfer chili mixture evenly to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden around the edges. Let rest 5 minutes before serving for optimal slicing.